You’ve seen them and laughed – horrible real estate photos. Those really outlandish property photos will be featured on blogs and lists, but what about those photos that just look dark, are taken from the wrong angle, or look as if the real estate agent just didn’t care?
Bad Photography Examples
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Photographer in the Photo
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Bad Angle Photo
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Sad Living Room Photo
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According to the National Association of Realtor, 95% of all buyers actively looking to buy a home search via websites and almost 90% of all buyers use photos and virtual tours to gather information about homes in which they have interest.
So that means photos and virtual tours are extremely important. In most cases, they are the buyers FIRST IMPRESSION!
That’s why Go Brent Team agents walk with sellers through their own home to discuss how to prepare for photographs and ensure the house is photo and web ready. From de-personalizing to de-cluttering to furniture placement, our agents work to present your home at it’s very best – both for online and in-person visitors.
We work with professional photographers to draw floor plans, photograph rooms, and produce virtual tours. Sure, iPhones take great photos but we’re real estate agents, so we leave photography to the experts. We also accompany the photographers during the photo shoot to ensure they capture your home’s best features.
Check out our recent listings and you’ll see how amazing our clients’ homes look!
Thinking of selling and interested in talking to us about our marketing strategy, which includes top-notch photos? Contact us today!
Can you believe we’re more than halfway through 2017? Our real estate pricing stats are updated through mid-year 2017. The stats cover the past ten years of home sales. We have stats available for zip codes in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and Kensington. Some zip codes show that home prices are near, or exceed, where we were at the top of the market.
We’re happy to share this data with you! Fill out the form below to request your copy.
Pre-sale home preparation is one of the most important things you can do to add value in the mind of the buyer. Go Brent Team’s home preparation can raise the value of your property by leading the eye to attractive features while minimizing flaws.
We offer advice regarding all phases of property preparation. While some sellers paint, refinish floors, and take on other major projects, some clients do very little. We will advise you on which improvements will add value and, if appropriate, arrange for the work and oversee the contractors.
Even if major improvements to the house are not on your agenda, we can recommend minor changes and inexpensive adjustments that can make a big difference in attracting buyers. Cleaning, small repairs, and landscaping can go a long way in making an appealing visual statement, both in online photos and in person.
Considering selling? Ensure your home makes the best impression when it hits the market. Contact us for a free consultation today!
“We dreaded going through the prep work to get ready to sell. The fact that Go Brent Team could arrange for the contractor, mover, hauler, cleaner, and window washer was a huge load off our minds. You really, really surpassed our expectations. We thank you!”
— Ken Brown & Donna Creedon, sold in Silver Spring after just 5 days on the market
WANT MORE INSIGHTS FROM GO BRENT TEAM? SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER BELOW.
Tax Bills are Here – Ensure You’re Receiving Tax Credits! Homestead Property Tax Credits and New Mo Co Tax Credits for Elderly & Military Retirees
It’s July, for Montgomery County homeowners this means that tax bills will be arriving in your mailboxes shortly – the County estimates mailing bills in mid-July (bills will also be available via the County website).
Homestead Property Tax Credits
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When you receive your bill you should look to see if you are receiving the Homestead Property Tax Credit (you’ll see “County Property Tax Credit”). This tax credit was established to help homeowners deal with large assessment increases on their principal residence. The Homestead Credit limits the increase in taxable assessments each year to a fixed percentage.
To prevent improper granting of this credit, a law was enacted in 2007 that requires all homeowners to submit a one-time application to establish eligibility for the credit. There are several criteria to be met, but the main conditions are that the property is your principal residence and you must have lived in it for at least six months of the year, including July 1 of the year for which the credit is applicable.
If you are not seeing a homestead property tax credit on your tax bill, you should determine the status of your Homestead eligibility by looking up your property on the Real Property Database.
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Look at the bottom of the page, where it says Homestead Application Status. If it says “No Application,” then you should reapply to capture this credit on future tax bills.
For more info, check out frequently asked questions about Homestead Property Tax Credit, or contact the Homestead unit directly at 1-866-650-8783 or visit their website.
Tax Credits for Elderly & Military Retirees
Earlier this year the Montgomery County Council also enacted new legislation granting property tax credits for elderly individuals and for military retirees. Owners who are 65 or over and who has owned and lived in the dwelling for at least 40 consecutive years or those who are 65 or over and a military retiree may qualify depending on the assessed value of the home.
For 2017 taxes only, applications will be accepted until September 1, 2017. If you wish to receive a credit for your 2017 taxes, you must apply by September 1, 2017. For all other tax years, you must apply by April 1. This tax credit will not be issued on the July property tax bill; instead it will be calculated and issued on a subsequent revision of your tax bill, with the tax credit appearing as a line item deduction on the bill.
You can read more about the new tax credit and how to apply here.
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Below are data statistics for single-family home sales year to date in 20910, 20901, 20912, and 20895.
Interested in what’s happening in another zip code or are you looking for information on the market in your specific neighborhood? Contact us for local market insights.
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73 Homes Sold in 20910
Highest Priced Sale – $1,213,990 Average Home Sold Price – $637,453 Average Days on Market – 22
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136 Homes Sold in 20901
Highest Priced Sale – $805,334 Average Home Sold Price – $471,015 Average Days on Market – 29
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46 Homes Sold in 20912
Highest Priced Sale – $1,050,000 Average Home Sold Price – $536,202 Average Days on Market – 28
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110 Homes Sold in 20895
Highest Priced Sale – $1,575,000 Average Home Sold Price – $623,168 Average Days on Market – 32
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April 15th may be tax day to most but for many it’s the official start of summer – it’s the time to send in summer pool dues! In addition to our local Montgomery County pools, there are many local pools with awesome swim teams, snack shacks, social events, and holiday celebrations.
If you are looking to join a pool we’ve compiled a list of some local ones along with links for membership info:
Calverton Swim Club
Address: 12615 Galway Drive Phone: 301-572-4203 Website: calvertonswimclub.com Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More
Connecticut Belair Swim & Tennis Club
Address: 3901 Ferrara Drive Phone: 301-946-4500 Website: cbpool.net Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More
Daleview Swim Club
Address: 901 Daleview Drive Phone: 301-434-9555 Website: www.daleview.org Membership Status: Memberships are not available at this time but the pool maintains a wait list. Learn More
Forest Knolls Pool
Address: 11105 Foxglove Lane Phone: 301-593-9883 Website: forestknollspool.com Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More
Franklin Knolls Pool
Address: 820 E Franklin Avenue Phone: 301-585-2153 Website: www.franklinknollspool.org Membership Status: Memberships are not available at this time but the pool maintains a wait list. Learn More
Glenwood Pool
Address: 10012 Gardiner Avenue Phone: 301-681-7599 Website: www.glenwoodpool.org Membership Status: Memberships are not available at this time but the pool maintains a wait list; there is a $50 registration fee. Learn More
Hillandale Swim & Tennis Association
Address: 10116 Green Forest Drive Phone: 301-434-4782 Website: www.hillandalepool.com Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More
Kemp Mill Swim Club
Address: 11805 Stonington Place Phone: 301-593-7506 Website: swim.kempmill.org Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More
Kenmont Swim & Tennis Club
Address: 2900 Faulkner Place Phone: 301-933-0047 Website: www.kenmont.com Membership Status: Memberships are not available at this time but the pool maintains a wait list; there is a $50 registration fee. Learn More
Northwest Branch Pool
Address: 10850 Lockwood Drive Phone: 301-593-9462 Website : www.nwbranchpool.com Membership Status: Memberships are not available at this time but the pool does maintain a wait list. There is a $50 fee to be put on the waiting list but it will be credited towards your dues. Learn More
Robin Hood Swim Club
Address: 225 Mowbray Road Phone: 301-384-9732 Website: www.robinhoodpool.club Membership Status: Memberships are available at this time. Learn More
Many buyers are contemplating what a rise in interest rates would mean. Here are two scenarios that illustrate savings at a lower rate:
Buying a $400,000 home with 5% down at an interest rate of 4.125% vs. 4.5%:
You save approximately: $80/per month $960/per year $30,000 over the life or the loan
Buying a $650,000 home with 5% down at an interest rate of 4.125% vs. 4.5%:
You save approximately: $135/per month $1,620/per year $50,000 over the life or the loan
One of the most important factors when buying a home (or refinancing your current home) is choosing a lender.
As Cari Jordan stated, “I am concerned about the transaction going as smoothly as possible; the chances of that happening increase when a buyer uses a local lender with a good track record, who has processors, underwriters, and appraisers who are also based locally and familiar with our area.”
Over the years, these local lenders have served Go Brent Team’s clients well. Feel free to contact them directly or reach out to us and we’ll be happy to introduce you.
Join Debbie Gerald with Go Brent Team of Keller Williams Capital Properties and Ramez Fahmy, Branch Manager at Caliber Home Loans for an informative seminar on how to purchase your first home. The seminar is offered on Tuesday, March 28 at 7:00-8:30pm at the Silver Spring Civic Center in downtown Silver Spring. There is no cost or obligation, just plenty of information! Please register in advance.
Homebuyers are invited to come discuss the ins and outs of purchasing and financing a first home. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions and learn how to start the home buying process.
A little more about your hosts:
As a member of Go Brent Team, a top-ranked team in the DC Metro area, Debbie Gerald specializes in educating first-time homebuyers on the home buying process and the many avenues available when purchasing your first home. Buyers know they can count on Debbie to guide them as they search for the right home. Our agents are experts in the marketplace, highly experienced contract negotiators, and provide clients with superior service. Go Brent Team helped 45 clients purchase homes last year.
Caliber Home Loans Branch manager Ramez Fahmy offers buyers 20-years experience in mortgage lending. Ramez is dedicated to providing superior service and expert guidance to first-time buyers throughout the home financing process. Caliber Home Loans offers competitive rates and fees along with innovative mortgage solutions to first-time homebuyers. Last year Ramez helped over 100 clients finance their home purchase. (NMLS#: 476394)
Can’t attend but want more information about home buying process? Email Debbie or call 301.873.0422.
We’ve updated our real estate pricing stats through year-end 2016. The stats cover the past ten years of home sales. We have stats available for zip codes in Silver Spring, Takoma Park, and Kensington. Some zip codes show that home prices are near, or exceed, where we were at the top of the market.
We’re happy to share this data with you! Fill out the form below to request your copy.
